2019-09-03 - Research in the Library

In a town built of horror and nightmares, the Gray Harbor Public Library should be a relative sanctuary. Upon passing through the double glass doors, one will find that the space within is largely contained to the ground level with some hints at special and rare collections upstairs by appointment in addition to the meeting rooms one can reserve there. Near the back of the space is a door labeled 'Staff Only' that looks as if it leads to a room, a labeled fire exit, and a stairway to a possible basement. The circulation desk in the front center about fifteen paces in from the double front doors. Non-fiction via Dewey Decimal along the right wall. Fiction by genre and author in rows of tall shelves in the near-center, 'the stacks'. Dismally old computers line the back wall of the room, though most people bring their own and use the library wifi. A noteworthy section just in front of the Non-Fiction entitled 'LOCAL' sports both historical and informational books about Gray Harbor as well as books by local authors of the past and present. Childrens' and YA books are to the far left. And periodicals can be found between that section and the front entrance.

The place is a juxtaposition of old and new. Old: A slightly musty smell likely from the age of the building and the frequent rain, the 1970s colors and aged decor. New: a bright, open, and cheery air to the place, fliers on the corkboards by the front doors that announce all sorts of community activities and an upcoming Read-In for kids ages 10-18. Comfortable, padded, reading chairs are interspersed amongst the more traditional chairs and tables spread around the entire place.

The library isn't exactly the most hopping social scene around town, but for the head of the Historical Society, it's not that odd to see Clarissa and her vintage yellow Hermes bag taking up one of the tables with some of the older tomes that can be found here. She's currently standing on a small stepladder trying to read one of the larger books on the top shelf and muttering to herself about getting higher heels as she stretches.

Harper tends to be all over the place in the library. Most recently she helped a mother and her little girl find some picture books with stories about rabbits in the children's section, retrieved newspapers from Mr. Jones after he finished reading them and returned them to the periodicals section, checked out some books to a young man who looks about college aged, and now she spies Clarissa up on the ladder. (outfit, not pb: http://www.calivintage.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Betina-Lou-SS13-Amalia-Black-and-Lucy-Ivory.jpg )

Harper adjusts the lanyard with her name badge from where she'd slid it back over her shoulder so it now faces forward again, and she strolls over to where Clarissa is perched upon the ladder, folding her arms across her slim chest. "I've seen you before, but never had the opportunity to introduce myself. Harper Price." Her badge reads 'Lead Librarian'. She doesn't include that in the introduction. "I see you're checking out some of our more extreme-sport books. Can I offer you a hand?" There are probably liability concerns with patrons up on the ladders for long. But the way Harper speaks the offer it is simply helpful and welcoming.

Especially patrons with those kinds of expensive heels that were barely made for walking nevermind climbing, "It'd be better if you were offering me a drink," Clarissa finally manages to snag a bit of the book binding, probably in a way that's wince inducing for librarians, getting the book to fall down into her hands as she climbs down, "Is there a reason why you're not digitizing everything, Miss Price? It would make research a lot easier if I were doing it from home. Clarissa Robbins. I'm chairwoman of the Historical Society so you've probably seen me in here more often than not." Or maybe in the newspaper from that time people thought she might have killed her husband. She doesn't mention that one though.

"You know? I've been trying to work in the happy hour angle with the city council. They just don't seem convinced that we should have a liquor license." Harper smiles serenely up at the well-dressed woman. There's no doubt Harper spies the book torturing, but she doesn't say anything about it. "I'm sure everything is digitized somewhere on the web. A public library with books you can hold and search the traditional way is the intention in the brick-and-mortar develop-real-time-community sort of sense. I'm sorry it is an inconvenience for you." Still, despite the words, Harper is relentlessly cheerful and her demeanor inclusive as she steps forward and lifts an arm just in case Clarissa choose to grab her hand for balance. "You navigate well in those lovely heels, Ms. Robbins. Ah!" Harper considers the position Clarissa claims. "Then you must know all sorts of interesting secrets from Gray Harbor's past. Do you dabble in the present as well?" Harper reads the paper. She likely has connected the face to the story. It's a small town. "Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance on any of your visits. We can gather books for you and have them ready for your visits. Search for books with similar topics to the ones you've looked at. Keep you appraised of new additions to the collection. Most anything, really. We're here to be a resource for you to take advantage of as much as you would like." Clarissa makes it down the steps and Harper glances to the front of the book she is holding. "Did you find what you were looking for?" There's a strange combination of meddling and helpful to the librarian. All of it is warmly offered.

Clarissa does make use of Harper's hand for the last few steps. No need to take a tumble and possibly muss her hair, "Thank you," she turns the book over in her hands, it's seemingly an old guide to some festivals and town meetings the area had back in the 20s, "We'll see if this is what I'm after. I'm afraid I'm not quite as up on town lore as someone who was born here, but I'm trying to catch up. I just happen to be very good at organizing things, so here we are." She walks the few steps over to where a few papers and a laptop have been set out. "You do research like that for your patrons?" She sounds surprised at the offerings, actually taking a moment to look at Harper for the first time, "That would actually be exceedingly helpful. I was thinking about throwing a fundraiser for the society, a high end one of course," she waves a hand like that should have been obvious, "Back in New York a Great Gatsby kind of theme would've been fitting but here I'm having a hard time honing in on something...iconic."

Harper meanders over to Clarissa's table with her, neither trying to be invasive, nor making a sudden exit after her initial introduction. "Of course," she replies to the thanks. Harper listens avidly, her silences speaking volumes about the amount she attends to what others say. "That one will definitely give you some ideas from Gray Harbor's past." She leans back to half sit against the table top in such a place as to not disturb the rest of Clarissa's work and materials. "Of course. There are times when we can do more and other times where we can at least offer some leads and suggestions. We can also order books on inter-library loan on occasion. But supporting the needs of the public is our key mission." She smiles a rueful bit of a smile. "It would be a sad thing if I did not get to apply my research methodology to this position. Really, you'd be doing me a favor and granting me time to do one my very favorite things." More listening. "A fundraiser, hmm." A high end one. "Do you find there are enough wealthy members of the community to make significant money with such an affair?" Harper tips her her brows and nods. "I think a 'Great Gatsby' theme would go over quite well here, to be honest. New York or no. Heavens, I would want to attend such a thing. If I could afford it, of course."

Clarissa wrinkles her nose at Harper's question concerning the lack of high class attendees around, "That's a good point. Despite being here for awhile now, I often forget that it's not the east coast. Still, people get Netflix around here, maybe a Downton Abbey sort of theme where people can be a certain class and dress accordingly based on the price of the ticket they purchase. That's not a bad idea. And it's still in the right time-frame." She says thoughtfully, shuffling a paper or two before looking back at Harper, "I'm glad to hear you think it's appealing though."

Harper nods slowly at the transition from Gatby to Abbey. "Not a bad choice either, Ms. Robbins. I don't see how you need to do any more research on other ideas. I can imagine all sorts of folks being interested in your fundraiser. If you like we can put up flyers here, depending on your target audience." Harper smiles thoughtfully, "I could afford a to dress as a Lady's maid if I kept to peanut butter sandwiches for lunch for a few weeks." She dips her head as if to add her own agreement to what Clarissa says, still perched on the edge of the table. "I do -- think it's appealing. Both ideas, really. The timing for Downton Abbey is apt, also." She stirs and rises from her perch. "I'll let you get to your research. Far be it from me to stand between anyone and the pleasure of such pursuits."

"It's not so much pleasure as it is work," Clarissa replies with a slightly sour tone, flipping open that latest book and ruffling the pages, "We would probably arrange some sort of discount with a local costumer. This is all very theoretical at this point, I would have to crunch the numbers on costs both to the society and the people in the town to see if it would be worthwhile. Even just to raise our recognition with your every day Joes on the street." And in the same breath she continues, looking over at Harper again, "is everyone that works here so very friendly?" She sounds like she can't decide if it's a good or a bad thing.

Harper stands up from the table and traces her fingertips over the surface as Clarissa keeps talking. She glances to the front doors, but no one seems to be coming or going that needs her help so she contentedly lingers by the table. "Certainly. I imagine an affair of that magnitude is all a numbers game for an institution such as the Historical Society. I do like your thoughts about using historical eras to focus on the subject. You could find old photos from the early twentieth century in Gray Harbor and blow them up to stand around the venue. Perhaps with captions. Or you could have a contest where people guess which locations in the photographs are where in our modern era." Harper seems to be in favor of recognition with Gray Harbor's everyman. "I think that's an excellent goal." Harper doesn't flinch under the sudden scrutinty; she smiles, and warmly at that. "I'd like to think my -- this library is a welcoming place for everyone. I can't speak to the hours I'm not here, but I will stand behind all of my assistant librarians. You can ask any of us for assistance should you need it. We do tend to be a bit more busy during events like Story Time and Author Chats, but we're always here to help, whether it is immediately or getting back to you once we've fulfilled a task." She offers a hand to the cultured woman in the fabulous clothes. "It's a pleasure to have met you, Ms. Robbins. I hope you'll seek me out if you find yourself in need of help in the future. And please.. call me Harper. I insist."

"Thank you, Harper," Clarissa takes Harper's hand and gives it a firm but somehow still girly shake. A very wife-of-a-politician kind of shake. The smile matches it. Just pleasant enough with a side of has an assistant to actually remember the names. "Those are all excellent ideas actually. I'll present them at the next meeting we have. And of course, should we need a true researcher at the event we'd likely comp that ticket. So, let me know if any of your coworkers would also have an interest in helping us come up with such things."

Harper holds Clarissa's gaze as her hand is shaken. "You instill confidence that our historical society is doing all it should." Another smile curves her lips upward as her ideas are accepted, even complimented. "Ideas are like fertile soil. The more you have, the more you can grow." She offers a faintly rueful smile at her questionable simile. "I can't say I'm not excited to hear what you come up with? When would the event take place?" The librarian's brows tip up at the implication that she might be comped a ticket to the fundraiser. She draws her hand back after it's released and presses her palm over her heart. "How fantastic! I wouldn't want to give away all your tickets, but I'll share your offer with my staff. She takes a reluctant step away. "Good luck in your research. If you need me, I'll be around here, easy to find. And if you don't see me, just head over to the circulation desk. One of us is always watching it from where we're working." That said, Harper makes her way back in that direction to deal with two high schoolers who are waiting to check out books.